INJURY UPDATE: The two-time World Cup winner Pieter-Steph Du Toit is set to miss the Japan League One season, Verblitz head coach Steve Hansen revealed.
Du Toit, who cemented his place in history by becoming the first South African to be named the World Rugby Player of the Year for a second time in November 2024, has undergone shoulder surgery.
Currently plying his trade at Verblitz under the guidance of former All Blacks coaches Hansen and Ian Foster, Du Toit has been out of action since November last year.
The 32-year-old – with 86 Test caps and two World Cup winners’ medals – picked up a shoulder injury during the Springboks’ Nations Series match against England on November 16.
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His absence is a major blow for Hansen’s Verblitz, who have been struggling in the opening rounds of the Japan League One.
They have won just one of their five matches and lost 22-38 to the Wild Knights last week.
Hansen, having coached some of the greats of the game in Richie McCaw and Dan Carter among many, many more, stated it is very disappointing not having the two-time World Cup winner on the field.
“Big Piet’s not here at the moment, he hurt his shoulder in the November series so he’s just went under the knife on Friday,” Hansen told Sport Nation’s Beaver & Guy.
“He could be out for the whole season, so it’s a bit disappointing.
“He’s a wonderful, wonderful human being, Pieter-Steph du Toit. He’s a gentle giant off the field and such a competitor on it, so I’ve got a lot of time for him. A good man.”
Australia skipper Michael Hooper has joined Verblitz as injury cover for Du Toit, who last played for Verblitz in May 2024.
The 33-year-old Hooper played the last of his 125 Tests in 2023 before being unceremoniously axed by then-coach Eddie Jones ahead of the World Cup.
Source: Rugbypass
